Student landlords see rents rise

As students return to university, one specialist student provider says rents for private student accommodation have risen for the autumn.

Glide Utilities says since 2013, rents have risen by an average of £10 a week every year or by £43 a month.

Most students, they say, now pay more than £100 a week to rent private student accommodation.

However, students have growing expectations of their rented homes, according to the firm.

The annual report 'What Students Seek'

In their annual report 'What Students Seek', Glide reveals that two in three students would like their rent to be inclusive of bills - the highest proportion ever recorded - which helps them budget more easily and resolves household disputes.

In addition, double beds are important for 64% of students when they are choosing accommodation with 40% only looking at rooms that have ensuite facilities.

It should come as no surprise that 85% of students will not contemplate moving into a student home that does not have broadband connection.

However, despite the growing cost of attending university, 47% of respondents said that what they pay for accommodation is value for money and 76% said they were happy with their student home.

Searching dedicated student accommodation websites

When it comes to finding student property, 59% of students look at Google first followed by 25% looking for letting agents. Those searching dedicated student accommodation websites account for 58% of responses and 44% visited their university's accommodation office to find a home.

The chief executive of Glide Utilities, James Villarreal, said: “The cost for private accommodation for students is rising, in line with rent increases nationally, and is a consideration for students who need to budget for their university time.

“Avoiding extra costs that are created by bills is one way for students to manage expenditure which explains why there's a greater demand for bills-inclusive rents from students and there are more landlords offering this.

"Our student report highlights what they look for in accommodation and how they find the right place that will meet their needs.”

Property in university towns rocket in value

Meanwhile, a survey has revealed that landlords with property in university towns have seen valuations rocket by 27% in the last three years.

That's the finding from HouseSimple.com, an online estate agent, which says the average price has risen by £66,000 and in nearly two-thirds of these university cities, a student on a university course could have covered their £27,000 in tuition fees with the price growth if they – or their parents – had bought their student house.

Following on from the government’s announcement for a national mandatory HMO licensing scheme, comes news of new minimum room size requirements for HMO rental properties.The government says this will help reduce the issues of over-crowding and also deal with po